Our Manchester Histories Festival project with Library Theatre is well underway. We received a large number of applications from artists, and found it very difficult to whittle them down to five. In the end we chose ideas with lots of potential to engage with local history in a fun and accessible way.

These ideas are currently being developed and tested ready for Saturday 3rd March where there will be an explosion of activity around Manchester Town Hall. Players will be searching and collecting, sneaking and peeking, chasing and racing round one of Manchester’s most beautiful landmarks for one day only.

This programme brings together a diverse group of local artists. Gareth Cutter is exploring the Peterloo Massacre through a chase game depicting the relationship between the cavalry and the protesters. The surreal is explored in Rebeka Haigh’s exotic bird hunt, whilst Bren O’Callaghan gives us a fascinating glance into the experience of Black Elk, a member of the Lakota Sioux Indian tribe who was left stranded in Salford in 1887. Peter Keeley hurls us to the centre of a petty crime at the turn of the century which must be paid for. We are then catapulted to more recent years in Oscar Mike’s team game of secret communication, bluffing and political loyalty.

Further down the line we’ll publish full programme details. In the meantime, if your interested in helping to playtest some of this work, head here.